Disney’s Princess Half Marathon Weekend presented by Lady Foot Locker

Our WDWTravels family has been shaken a little with the recent diagnosis of leukemia for the daughter of one of our agents. We’re thrilled to see that the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is the beneficiary of this years Princess Half Marathon. Prayers & Pixie Dust to all who are affected by these diseases and to those who help out.

Disney’s Princess Half Marathon Weekend presented by Lady Foot Locker

Friday, March 5 – Sunday, March 7, 2010

The road to happily ever after begins with YOU!

Due to the tremendous response we have received to Disney’s Princess Half Marathon, we are expanding the race capacity for 2010 and will accept 2,500 additional entries. Register now to secure your spot in the royal affair! Even with the additional spots, we are at the capacity percentage listed below and will fill up soon!

Disney’s Princess Half Marathon Weekend brings women of all ages together to participate in a magical event designed just for them. The Disney Princesses are the inspiration for the weekend’s events and will focus on the attributes every princess possesses: commitment, courage, determination, fantasy, perseverance, and strength. Every woman is a princess, which princess are you?

THE LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA SOCIETY
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society®(LLS), headquartered in White Plains, NY, with 68 chapters in the United States and Canada, is the world’s largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research and providing education and patient services. The LLS mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Since its founding in 1949, LLS has invested more than $550 million in research specifically targeting leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Last year alone, LLS made 5.1 million contacts with patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals. To learn more, visit www.lls.org.

Disney’s Princess Half Marathon Weekend benefits The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society®(LLS), an organization dedicated to the fight against blood cancers. With the support of thousands of volunteers and participants in LLS’s Team In Training program, the Walt Disney World® Marathon Weekend will help blood cancer patients live better, longer lives.

LLS uses Disney’s Princess Half Marathon Weekend as a platform to create awareness of this life saving cause, as well as to raise much needed funds for research. Participants and volunteers have the opportunity to make donations to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society directly at the point of registration or by visiting our website at www.disneyprincesshalfmarathon.com.

How Can I Get Involved? Your gift can help find cures for leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Make a donation now!

Disney’s Princess Half Marathon Weekend presented by Lady Foot Locker

Team In Training Participants Take On Half Marathon to Help Find Cures

Participants in The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Team In Training (TNT) program are excited to take part in the inaugural Disney’s Princess Half Marathon Weekend on March 7, 2010.

One of those participants is Rebecca Hite, of Tarpon Springs, Fla., who will run the half marathon to honor her mother, who died in January 2008, after a three-year battle with lymphoma of the central nervous system.

“It was a life changing event,” says Hite. “After watching her slow progression of dying, I just had this strong desire to do something – anything to fight back.”

Hite learned about TNT and after learning about the work LLS does to fund research to find cures she know it was the right cause for her to support.

“I wanted to be involved, for the memory of my mother and to honor all those who are battling cancer,” says Hite. “Being a non-runner, I saw that TNT would help me to reach my goals of helping to fight back by providing fundraising support, coaches, mentors and group runs.”

On Jan. 10, 2009, Hite complete her first half marathon at the Walt Disney World Marathon and Half Marathon weekend and this spring will take on another half. She will be joined her sister, Tamara, from California. Together they are calling themselves “Team4Hope.”

As Team In Training participants, Rebecca and Tamara get four to five months of preparation with certified coaches and enjoy the camaraderie of a supportive group of teammates. They get to chose from more than 60 accredited events and can chose among marathons, half-marathons, triathlons, century (100-mile) cycling events or hike adventures. In return, participants raise funds to support blood cancer research and patient services. TNT participants receive tools and support for their fundraising, including a personalized fundraising web page.

Holly Garlick, 40, of Tampa, has enjoyed running on and off over the years, and even trained on her own for a half marathon a few years ago. But when her father was diagnosed several months ago with Waldenstrom’s macroglomulinemia, a lymphoma that starts in the bone marrow and is characterized by an abnormal level of a type of protein, she decided this time she would take on a half marathon with a purpose.

She was familiar with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Team In Training (TNT) (www.teamintraining.org) program through a friend who had participated a few years ago. She signed on to train with TNT for the 2010 Disney’s Princess Half Marathon, and in return, she will raise funds to support blood cancer research and patient services.

This half marathon will bring women of all ages together to participate in a magical event designed just for them. The Disney princesses are the inspiration for the weekend’s events, with a focus on the attributes each princess possesses: commitment, courage, determination, fantasy, perseverance and strength. The route will take participants from the Epcot® Center parking lot through the Magic Kingdom® Park, Tomorrowland and Cinderella Castle.

With a 6-year-old daughter and a 3-year-old son, Holly figured this would be a great opportunity for the whole family to enjoy a weekend at the theme parks while she also tackles this physical challenge in honor of her father.

“It will be a nice celebration for the whole family, and I’m going to do this run!” she says.

Holly says she has enjoyed the weekly group runs as a member of TNT. “It’s very helpful to be part of a group on those runs. And I really enjoy hearing the people’s stories of why they joined.”

Another Tampa resident, Jamie Dietrich, 38, a physical therapist, is also taking on the half marathon to honor a loved one. Her roommate from college developed Hodgkin lymphoma and died after battling the disease for more than three years.

Her friend received information and support from LLS. And now, despite never having run more than three miles prior to this, Jamie wants to give back to LLS as a way to say thanks and try to help others avoid her friend’s fate. Jamie has high praise for the TNT program. “Everyone in the organization has been wonderful, and very supportive. After some tough training our coach sent us some very motivating emails,” she said.

TNT participants receive a four- to five-month comprehensive training program with certified coaches and a supportive group of teammates. Participants can chose to walk or run a full or half marathon, or participate in a triathlon, 100-mile century bike ride or hike adventure.

COMMEMORATIVE PIN
As a participant, you have the opportunity to purchase a Limited Edition Commemorative Pin*! Pins can be purchased during registration or you may purchase now! Online sales will close March 1.

*Pins will ONLY be distributed at Disney’s Fit for a Princess Expo during Packet Pick-up. Pins not picked up at Packet Pick-up will not be mailed and will not be refunded. Quantities are limited.

COMMEMORATIVE KIDS’ RACES MICKEY EARS
As a participant, you have the opportunity to purchase a Limited Edition Commemorative Disney’s Royal Family Kids’ Races Mickey Ears *! Mickey Ears can be purchased during registration or you may purchase now!

*Commemorative Disney’s Royal Family Kids’ Races Mickey Ears will only be available for pick up at Disney’s Fit for a Princess Expo or the Kids’ Races Packet Pick-Up. Mickey Ears not picked up at the Expo or Packet Pick-Up will not be mailed or refunded.

OFFICIAL RACE PHOTOS
ASI photographers will be on the course and at the finish line taking your picture during the race. Remember to smile and keep your race number uncovered and in clear view. Race photos will be posted approximately one week following the event. ASI will email you your photograph proofs or you can visit asiorders.com after the race to view your race photos.

COMMEMORATIVE ITEMSFond Memories Graphics preserves the memory of your achievement forever with a personalized shadow box or certificate plaque engraved with your name and chip time. Engrave your medal at the finish-line booth, race times will be available!

DoubleTake Images is doing another in its series of collectible posters that could feature your running picture. View this year’s poster. Any runner who orders the poster is guaranteed to appear in it. But there is limited space, so order as soon as possible.

Crossing the Line will be offering limited edition fine art prints and a family of personalized commemorative items based on original WALT DISNEY WORLD® Marathon artwork. View their full line of products and shop on-line now.

Now Announcing Her Royal Highness
Visit your personalized post-race 1/2 marathon website, mydisneymarathon.com/Princess where you can view your race results and photo and download a custom finisher certificate. We will not be mailing out certificates. By printing yours at home you can celebrate your achievement as soon as possible. You can use the Search for Runners function to find your finish times! Share your magical journey with others through the photos and video of the race.